Penske has sights set on racing double

ASSOCIATED PRESS

May 25, 2012

Photo: Robert Laberge

Image 1of/2

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 2

Helio Castroneves of Brazil driver of the #3 Team Penske Dallara Chevrolet leads Ryan Hunter-Reay driver of the #28 Andretti Autosport Dallara Chevrolet during final practice on Carb Day for the Indianapolis 500 on May 25, 2012 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. less

Helio Castroneves of Brazil driver of the #3 Team Penske Dallara Chevrolet leads Ryan Hunter-Reay driver of the #28 Andretti Autosport Dallara Chevrolet during final practice on Carb Day for the Indianapolis ... more

Photo: Robert Laberge

Image 2 of 2

With three cars among the top six qualifiers for the Indianapolis 500 and two solid entries in the Coca-Cola 600, IndyCar and Sprint Cup team owner Roger Penske stands a reasonable chance of winning both races Sunday. less

With three cars among the top six qualifiers for the Indianapolis 500 and two solid entries in the Coca-Cola 600, IndyCar and Sprint Cup team owner Roger Penske stands a reasonable chance of winning both races ... more

Photo: Andy Lyons

Penske has sights set on racing double

1 / 2

Back to Gallery

Brad Keselowski got the first of many surprises at his first meeting with racing great Roger Penske.

The rising NASCAR star driving Penske Racing's No. 2 Sprint Cup car discovered the Michigan address for their get-together was an unmarked, routine building Keselowski had driven by all the time growing up in Rochester Hills. He never knew it housed Penske's offices.

Penske has been the king of Indianapolis with a record 15 wins. The team has three entries in the top six starters this year, including Ryan Briscoe on the pole, series points leader Will Power in fifth and three-time winner Helio Castroneves in sixth.

Team Penske is also in strong shape to chase a second Coca-Cola 600 crown in three seasons. Keselowski owns victories at Bristol and Talladega this year; teammate AJ Allmendinger is starting 11th and had a fast car throughout Thursday's practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

Keselowski, who will start 24th for Sunday night's NASCAR race, said Penske's ethic to be the best flows through all the programs.

"What makes it so much fun to be part of his teams is the commitment to excellence that (Penske) has," he said.

Penske moved the IndyCar shop south in 2007 to put all operations under one roof - and spread the success of Penske Racing.

"If Penske Racing has a win, as far as I'm concerned, that has an umbrella effect for every one of our people," said the mogul called the "Captain."

Penske takes a hands-on approach. He was at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last Saturday for qualifying and then flew to North Carolina to watch Keselowski and Allmendinger compete in NASCAR's All-Star Race that night. Keselowski won a segment of the All-Star race while Allmendinger finished second in the Sprint Showdown to advance to the main field.

Penske's goal has always been the same - to build winning programs, whatever the series.

Briscoe, the Indy pole-sitter, said Penske Racing wants to double up Sunday and believes it has the talent to accomplish it and bring Penske another milestone.

"We're definitely excited," Briscoe said. "It would mean so much to win two races in one day for Roger."